FREE Personal Injury Claims Quiz

Take My Free Quiz Now!
(719) 757-1182

How people get arrested for shoplifting without leaving a store

July 29, 2021 – admin – Criminal Defense

How people get arrested for shoplifting without leaving a store | Colorado Springs, CO

Theft is one of the oldest and most common forms of crime. Most forms of theft involve people intentionally taking what does not belong to them, sometimes while threatening another person with a weapon or after illegally entering a property.

Shoplifting, sometimes also known as retail fraud, is one of the more common forms of theft. People tend to think of it as a victimless crime because they don’t steal from an individual but rather from a business. Unfortunately, the bigger the business, the more likely they are to be aggressive in their anti-shoplifting policies.

Customers with no intent to steal can sometimes find themselves stopped by security personnel, loss prevention professionals or managers as they wander through the store or make their way toward the exit. Could someone who didn’t actually remove merchandise from a store face shoplifting charges in Colorado?

The state law on shoplifting does not actually require theft

You probably think you have to take an item from a store to get charged with a theft crime, but that is not the case. Under Colorado law, shoplifting isn’t just the misappropriation or theft of items from a retail facility.

Someone hiding merchandise can also qualify as shoplifting under the state definition. Merely trying to conceal an item is enough reason for someone to suspect you of shoplifting, confront you and potentially ask the state to press charges.

How might someone accidentally conceal merchandise?

People can engage in all kinds of behaviors that look like shoplifting but really aren’t. Perhaps you wanted to try on sunglasses, but then your children dragged you away to look at toys. You may have forgotten that you pushed a pair of sunglasses up on your head when you left the department.

If you have a cart or a stroller, placing items on the bottom rack or in areas that aren’t readily visible might make it seem like you intend to steal those items. Even placing an item within another item could lead to suspicion of shoplifting.

Those arrested and accused of shoplifting when they have not actually taken something from a store will still have to think about how to defend themselves against those pending theft charges.

 

Related Blog Posts

Criminal Defense Lawyer in Colorado Springs | Call 719-757-1182

States pass tougher laws on jailhouse informants

Colorado residents want to believe that the U.S. justice system is fair and just, but that isn’t always the case. In recent years, new DNA testing technology has exonerated dozens…

Criminal Defense Lawyer in Colorado Springs | Call 719-757-1182

Do police ever mistakenly arrest the wrong people?

You got arrested, and you cannot believe it. Not only do you think you are innocent, but you have no idea what the police are talking about. You were not…

Is it still aggravated robbery if you use a fake gun? Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Is it still aggravated robbery if you use a fake gun?

At its most basic, the difference between aggravated robbery and regular robbery is that a charge of aggravated robbery means that a deadly weapon was used in the process of…

Criminal Defense Lawyer in Colorado Springs | Call 719-757-1182

Supreme Court: Okay To Collect Dna After An Arrest

A recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court may not change DNA collection laws in Colorado but it does highlight the debate surrounding laws that allow police to collect DNA…

Personal Injury Lawyer in Colorado Springs | Call 719-757-1182

Our Location

Pease Enter Your Name and Number For Callback

Request A Call Back